Kairos – Seattle

Seattle is a place of breathtaking mountains, fantastic coffee, old-growth forests, unique downtown sights, and a love of the outdoors. If you are up for adventure, Seattle is a great place to spend a gap year! Whether you are hiking a tree-lined trail, enjoying coffee with friends, navigating a challenging route during rock climbing, or kayaking around islands in the Puget Sound, be prepared for a season of growth and transformation. Get ready for eight months of incredible experiences!

While in Kairos, you will have many opportunities to engage in ministry and directly apply what you are learning in class. You will be interning weekly at a local church and volunteering with a variety of ministries and organizations. Along with your classmates, you’ll be in charge of developing, leading, and debriefing your own mission trip in the Everett/Seattle area. In addition to local ministry, Kairos Seattle joins with Kairos Minneapolis in Los Angeles to serve those who are hungry, homeless, and in need of God’s love.

Kairos Seattle’s international mission trip destination is Costa Rica, a country of deep rainforests, high mountains, and beautiful beaches. For three weeks, you will serve alongside local churches to share the Gospel, minister to children, and develop the body of Christ. You will experience the true “Tico” culture while sharing meals with the locals, playing soccer in a neighborhood park, or watching a game of futsal. Costa Rica is full of amazing people, and you will get to know them as friends as you share your stories over a cup of some of the world’s finest coffee.

Through serving here, near, and far, you’ll get a greater glimpse of how God is working around the world.

Get ready for a breathtaking five-day backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon! Together with your Kairos Seattle teammates, you will spend five days trekking through the canyon, carrying on your back everything you need to survive the journey. Challenging? You bet! Backpacking is a great way to experience God, learn about leadership, and physically challenge yourself.

Rock Climbing

Early in the school year, we will take a five-day rock climbing trip where you will learn how to belay, climb, and rappel. Never climbed before? Don’t worry, we work within your level of comfort and help you take steps forward (or upward in this case). Climbing is going to teach you a lot about faith, trust, and courage. And when you are done climbing for the day, good food, a campfire, and deep conversation will put the finishing touches on a memorable experience!

Sea Kayaking

The whole Kairos class will embark on a multi-day trip in the absolutely incredible San Juan Islands! You’ll work together with other Kairos students to plan, prepare, and make the trip a reality. God will use kayaking to not only develop your physical leadership skills, but your spiritual leadership as well. Sea kayaking can be one of the most peaceful ways to encounter God, especially when you have the possibility of kayaking next to Orca whales!

Fitness

We want you to learn how to stay healthy in your daily lives, as well as prepare for all of the awesome outdoor trips and activities that are a part of Kairos. You will be working out 3-4 times a week to build your stamina and fitness level. Kairos Seattle is a great environment to establish healthy habits for your life, and having community as you build these habits will challenge and encourage you.

Although no previous experience is required for the outdoor sports, we expect you to arrive with a good base fitness level. Running two miles without stopping or steadily hiking five miles (with a 20 lbs. backpack) are examples of acceptable “base fitness levels.” If you have any questions about the physical requirements of this program, please email the Kairos Seattle school leader, Brian Meaden (brianmeaden@reignministries.org).

At Kairos Seattle we would have class outside everyday if we could, and while that isn’t always practical, the year is broken up with expedition and mission trips so you’ll never be stuck in one place for too long. During a regular week at Kairos Seattle you’ll participate in worship, prayer, small groups, discussion time, fitness, church internship, local outreach and fun activities together. Outside of class time, you will be working on memory verses, reading through the Bible, and writing reflection papers on some great books you’ll read throughout the year.

An essential part of the discipleship process you will experience in Kairos comes through dynamic teachings. On an almost daily basis, you’ll receive biblical teaching from pastors, university professors, missionaries, and business professionals who have a passion for Christ. These speakers will not only encourage and challenge you in your relationship with Christ, but also in your relationships with those around you. You’ll grow in your understanding of who God is, who you are in Christ, and your role in the expansion of His Kingdom.

Listed below is a sample course list of topics covered during the school year:

The application process consists of submitting your online application, a $50 application fee, three reference forms, background check, and health form. These forms will be emailed to you once your application is submitted or you can download them from the website. Once we receive each of these forms, you will hear of your acceptance to the program. Click here to download these forms online.

The Kairos program creates a learning environment that will challenge participants physically, spiritually, and mentally. Students who are interested in the program are encouraged to apply early, as school locations fill up. If space is full at your prefered Kairos school location (Minneapolis or Seattle), you may be able to switch locations if space is still available. If both schools are full, students can be added to a wait-list. All applicants need to exhibit servant leadership, a desire for spiritual growth, and a teachable spirit. For Kairos Seattle there are no prerequisite skills required for any outdoor or wilderness activities. We want to meet students where they are at and help them attain new skills. However, students must be at a fitness level where they can run two miles without stopping and be able to hike five miles with a 20 lbs. backpack.

After being accepted to Kairos Discipleship School a deposit of $550 reserves your spot. The final deadline for this deposit is August 15th, but students are encouraged to get the deposit in as soon as possible to secure their spot.

All fees are broken down into four payments throughout the year:

August 15 - $550 (Deposit)

September 4 - $4000

January 2 - $4100

April 1 - $1850

Total for Kairos Seattle: $10,500

Additional Expenses (Approximate):

Suggested spending money - $50/month

Gear for trips - $200-$500

Gas/transportation - $45-65 month

Travel between home and school

Application fee - $50

*These due dates and fees are subject to change.

Along with personal contributions, students are encouraged to raise support for Kairos. This is a great opportunity for friends and family to be involved in your life and missions. Once accepted, you will receive support raising materials that guide you through the process.

Kairos Seattle participates in many outdoor activities and expedition trips throughout the year. Much of the specialty gear will be provided (tents, rock climbing gear, kayaks, etc.), but you will also need personal gear including a backpacking pack (70-90L), hiking boots, sleeping bag and mat, and outdoor clothing. We have limited quantities of sleeping bags and mats available to rent for a minimal fee if you choose to not purchase your own.

Transportation

We strongly recommend bringing a vehicle, if at all possible. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from class each day. If you do not have a vehicle, you will need to carpool with a student who does. Students in a carpool provide funds each week to the driver to cover the cost of gas (dependent upon current gas prices). If you do bring a car, know that you may have to be a driver for other students. If not enough students bring a vehicle to Kairos, you will need to figure out transportation via public transportation.

Kairos partners with Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC) in Bemidji, MN. OHCC recognizes the value and importance of a discipleship school. Students who attend and graduate Kairos in good standing can be granted transfer credits to OHCC. OHCC is committed to working diligently to grant the most generous transfer possible for all Kairos students. In addition to the transfer credits, they will offer a $2,000 scholarship to all Kairos students. For more information about OHCC visit their website at www.oakhills.edu

For students planning on furthering their education after Kairos, colleges and universities may grant credit for your coursework and training from a program such as ours, but they require you to provide the proper documentation. The field of study that a student chooses to go into can also determine whether credits will be given. The student is responsible for contacting their school and/or academic advisor regarding receiving academic credit. We will provide the student with the proper academic documentation that may be required. While you are able to receive credit for graduating Kairos, we are not an accredited school.

Dates & Tuition

Director of Kairos

I am from Madison, Wisconsin. In 2003 I joined Reign Ministries to help start and staff the
Kairos Discipleship School and became Director in
2011 for Kairos Minneapolis! I love seeing lives transformed as they passionately
pursue God with all their heart.